Method of and means for finishing wall joints



March 18, I930. HAIRE El AL METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FINISHING WALL JOINTS Filed March 14, 1929 Fig.1.

Fig.2.

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ROBERT E. HAIRE D .GEOQGE MILLER THOMfiON.

' ATTOR NE) Patented Mar. 18, 1930 UNITED s'rarrzs PATENT OFFICE ROBERT E. HAIRE, PARIS, ONTARIO, AND GEORGE MILLER THOMSON, OF CALE- DONIA, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNORS '10 CANADA GYPSUM AND ALABASTINE,

LIMITED, OF PARIS, ONTARIO, CANADA METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR FINISHING WALL JOINTS Application filed. March 14,1929. Serial No. 347,107.

This invention relates to the finishing of wall joints and is especially, though not exclusively, applicable to walls constructed of wall-boards arranged edge to edge.

Ordinarily in joints of this character the small space between the ends of the boards is filled with a joint filler of any desired character and frequently a narrow strip or tape of suitable material is then placed over the joint. Such joints, however, break the smoothness of the wall and are visible when the wall is decorated.

The present invention has for its object to provide a method of, and means for, providing a finish for such joints which to all intents and purposes is invisible, and which at the same time seals the joint eifectively and conceals the nails which may be used for securing the boards in place.

The means provided by the present invention are simple and inexpensive and the method can be carried out rapidly and by relatively unskilled persons. I,

The invention consists in the method and means hereinafter described and more fully set forth in the appended claims.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate diagrammatically one manner of carrying the invention into effect,

Figure 1 is a front elevation,

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a front elevation illustrating later stages of the process.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a completed joint, and

Figure 5 is a View of the adhesive surface of the paper strip used for carrying out the improved process.

In Figures 1 to 4, the marginal portions of two wall-boards-A and B areshown abutting against each other at 1. As illustrated, the invention is applied to wall-boards of the type comprising a layer 2 of cellular gypsum covered on each side with paper as indicated at 3. It will be understood, however, that the invention is applicable to any other kinds of wall building materials which present joints requiring finishing treatment.

According to the invention a strip of suitable paper 4 is secured to the marginal portions of the front surfaces of the boards A and B by means of glue or other adhesive,

preferably'a colourless and transparent adhesive. The paper 4 is stuck to the boards A and B from the points 5 to 6, the outer edge of the paper being left free as indicated at 7 (see Figure 2). The paper 4 is left in the condition indicated in Figures 1 and 2 until the adhesive has completely dried, and then the free edges 7 are torn ofl. The removal of the free edges 7 is accomplished in such a manner that the paper is divided or split laterally as well as longitudinally. This may be done by grasping the upper end of. a free edge 7 and pulling it downwardly and also towards the middle of the strip of paper 4, as indicated roughly by the arrow w in Figure 3 The paper is thus divided laterally from 6 to 8, and very fine, sharp edges are produced at 6 and at the inner edge 6 of the strip of paper which is torn from the strip 4. This tearing action is illustrated diagrammatically at the right-hand side of the strip 4 in Figure 3. The left-hand side of strip 4 in Figure 3 is shown as it appears when the left-hand free portion 7 has been removed. It will thus be seen that, after the tearing operation has been completed, the middle or untorn zone 9 of strip 4, the torn or split zones 10, and the outer surfaces of the wall-boards A and B merge smoothly one into another, and the slight elevation of zone 9 is imperceptible on account of the great width of the zones 10 in relation to the thickness of paper 4 (see Figure 4). The very gradual slope of the zones 10 and the consequent absence of abrupt variations of level, eliminate the production of shadows, and thus render the joint invisible. The joint may be further finished by buffing or smoothing the torn zones 10 with a suitable-tool to remove any slight irregularities which may exist along the lines 6 and 8, and the wall may then be decorated. It will be understood that, while distinct lines are shown at 6 and 8 in Figure 3 for the purpose of illustration, such lines are actually practically invisible if the paper 4 is of the same colour as A portion of a convenient strip of paper 4 pable of being rendered adhesive by moistenown m r use in carr pihilig out the process is s in Figure 5. 's strip bears a central, longitudinal band of material, indicated b stippling at 11, which, can be rendered a hesive by moistening. The longitudinal margins 7, it will be understood, are devoid of adhesive. material. K r

The'width, and therefore the slope, of the torn zones can be varied by varying the angle at which the pulling force 'is ap lied to remove the marginal portions 7 0 the strip 4.

Any suitable tough, and fairly thick, paper of a character similar to that of stout wraping paper may be used to form the strip 4. ft is robable that the best results are obtainab e by the use of a paper in which the fibres are oriented in the direction of the go length of the strip as indicated on the torn ZOIieS. 10 in-Figure 3, but this is not essentia What we claim is: 1. A process of finishing the j'ointsof walls, which comprises sticking the central, longitudinal portion of a paper strip over the joint and removing the marginal portions of the strip in such a manner as to divide or split the marginal portions of the strip. so 2. A rocess of finishing the joint between a pair oi boards arranged edge to edge, which comprises sticking the central, longitudinal portlon of a paper strip over said joint, leavmg the edges 0 said strip free and applying to an obliquely directed pulling force to-the free edges of said strip so that a torn surface is produced onthe adhering portion of the strip,

which torn surface is of a great width in relation to the thickness of the paper strip.

40 3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the torn surfaces of the paper strip are subjected to a smoothing or buifing treatment.

4. A process of forming a wall, which coma prises arranging boards edge to edge, caus- 5 mg a strip of flexible fibrous material to adhere to the adjoinin marginal surfaces of said boards, and tearmg'oif the edges of said strip of material so as to produce inclined, torn surfaces at the lateral margins of said to strip, which torn surfaces mer e imperceptibly into the surfaces of said boards on one side and the central, longitudinal portion of said strip on the other.

5. An article of manufacture for use in the finishing of wall joints, consisting of a strip of paper bearing a lon itudinal, central band of material capable of being rendered adhesive by moistening, the marginal portions of said strip being devoid of adhesive material.

to 6. An article of manufacture for use in the finishing of wall joints, consisting of a strip of stout aper, the'fibres of which are oriented in the irection of length of said strip, the longitudinal central portion of said strip beingpr'ovided on one side with material ca- 1 testimony whereof we have afiixed our signatures.

ROBERT E. GEORGE M. THOMSON. 

